India to clash with Pakistan in ICC World T20 on March 19

Much to the delight of cricket fans, arch-rivals India and Pakistan were today placed in the same group for next year's ICC World Twenty20, as they face off in a high-voltage clash on March 19 in Dharamsala. The ICC today unveiled the groups and schedule of the event, which will be staged across eight venues in India from March 8 to April 3.

Notwithstanding the current status of the bilateral series between the two nations, cricket lovers will have something to cheer for as the two Asian giants take on each other. India will open their campaign against New Zealand on March 15 in Nagpur before taking on Pakistan. India's other matches will be against the qualifying Group A winners in Bengaluru on March 23 and Australia in Mohali on March 27.  A total of 58 matches, including 35 men's and 23 women's games, will be played in the 27-day tournament in Bengaluru, Chennai, Dharamsala, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur and New Delhi.

New Delhi and Mumbai will host the semi-finals on March 30 and 31, respectively, while Eden Gardens in Kolkata will be the venue of the April 3 finals. ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar, who attended the launch ceremony in Mumbai, said, "India is a country where cricket is a religion and not many places can match the passion for the game like India. I am fully confident that the Board of Control for Cricket in India will deliver an  outstanding world cricket event, just like the ICC Cricket World Cups in 1987, 1996 and 2011."

"The ICC and BCCI are fully committed and will work together to make this a memorable event. I invite fans from across the world to witness fast-paced cricketing action on the field and enjoy the hospitality and culture of India, off it."

BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur promised a well-organised World Cup. "We, as hosts, are fully prepared to organise one of the most entertaining spectacles in world cricket. We draw experience from hosting three ICC Cricket World Cups and are ready to make the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 one of the most memorable events.

"Our preparations are in full swing, and BCCI and ICC is working together to make it a lifetime experience for the players and the fans. India is a vibrant country young, full of colour, energy and exuberance - and is very much like the concept of Twenty20 cricket itself. We would encourage everyone involved with the game to experience the best of India," he said.